Elevation of Immunoglobulin Free Light Chain and BAFF Levels Associated With Immune Activation Predicts Survival Rates in Chronic Liver Disease.

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q1 GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY

Hepatology Research Pub Date : 2025-07-29 DOI:10.1111/hepr.70009

Motoh Iwasa, Akiko Eguchi, Yasuyuki Tamai, Ryuta Shigefuku, Hideaki Tanaka, Ryo Nakagawa, Mina Tempaku, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Hayato Nakagawa

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aims: Elevated serum free light chain (FLC) and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels have been reported to be associated with B-cell activation and to serve as biomarkers reflecting disease severity in various diseases. However, limited investigation has been conducted in the context of chronic liver disease (CLD), and the aim of this study was to clarify the clinical utility of FLC and BAFF in CLD.

Methods: Serum FLC and BAFF levels were measured in healthy individuals (HC; n = 23) and in a cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis (CH; n = 107) and liver cirrhosis (LC; n = 50) of various etiologies and the associations of κ-FLC, λ-FLC, or BAFF with liver function test results and survival rates were investigated.

Results: Serum FLC and BAFF levels increased in parallel with a decrease in hepatic functional reserve capacity, worsening fibrosis, and impaired renal function. Serum κ-FLC, λ-FLC, or BAFF levels were significantly elevated in CH compared to HC (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively) and further increased in LC (p < 0.0001 vs. both HC and CH). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with high κ-FLC, λ-FLC, or BAFF compared with patients with low κ-FLC, λ-FLC, or BAFF (p < 0.0001, p < 0.01, respectively). Even in the analysis using the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, both κ-FLC and λ-FLC were identified as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion: This study specifically demonstrated that serum FLC levels are a strong predictor of survival in patients with CLD and provided important insights into the prognosis of CLD in the context of humoral immunity.

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与免疫激活相关的免疫球蛋白游离轻链和BAFF水平升高预测慢性肝病患者的生存率

目的：据报道，血清游离轻链（FLC）和b细胞活化因子（BAFF）水平升高与b细胞活化有关，并可作为反映各种疾病严重程度的生物标志物。然而，在慢性肝病（CLD）的背景下进行了有限的调查，本研究的目的是阐明FLC和BAFF在CLD中的临床应用。方法：测定健康人血清FLC和BAFF水平(HC；n = 23)和一组慢性肝炎患者(CH；n = 107)和肝硬化(LC；n = 50)的各种病因以及κ-FLC、λ-FLC或BAFF与肝功能检查结果和生存率的关系进行了研究。结果：血清FLC和BAFF水平升高与肝功能储备能力下降、纤维化恶化和肾功能受损并行。与HC相比，CH患者血清中κ-FLC、λ-FLC或BAFF水平显著升高(p)。结论：本研究明确表明，血清FLC水平是CLD患者生存的一个强有力的预测指标，并在体液免疫的背景下为CLD的预后提供了重要的见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Hepatology Research 医学-胃肠肝病学

CiteScore

8.30

自引率

14.30%

发文量

124

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： Hepatology Research (formerly International Hepatology Communications) is the official journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology, and publishes original articles, reviews and short comunications dealing with hepatology. Reviews or mini-reviews are especially welcomed from those areas within hepatology undergoing rapid changes. Short communications should contain concise definitive information.